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` (No Model.) 3 Smetssheet 1. P. A. ALTMAIBR. MAGAZINE FIRE ARM- Patentd Jam.` 26, 1886.

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WlgfJyESsE (No'Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. P. A. ALTMAIER.

MAGAZINE FIRE ARM.

`N0. 334,731. PatentedJm. 26, 1886.

#Attorney 2 (No Model.)

4P. A. ALTMAIER.

MAGAZINE PIRE ARM.

3 snets-sheet 3.,

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE,

- PETER A. ALTMAIER, OF HARRISBURG, PEkNS-YLVANIA.

n MAGAZINE FIRE-ARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part oiLetters Patent No. 334,712.1, dated` January 26, 1886.

Application filed S'pleniber G, 1884. Serial No. 145.24911: (No model.)

.To aZZ whom z' may concern/.f

- v Be it known that I, PETER A. ALTMAIR,

full, clear, and exact description of the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.

My present invention relates more especially to that class of breech-loading fire-arms known as magazine-guns, and has for its main object the improvement of the loading and firing mechanism, whereby the weight, proportionally to the capacity of the gun, is diminished, the action rendered easy and positive, a multiplicity of parts, and more especially of springs, is avoided, the cartridge receiving and placing mechanism rendered efficient when used either as a breech or magazine loader with theinagazine charged or empty and the lock or hammer rendered inoperative until the breech is properly closed ready for the discharge; and my invention consists in the several novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as here inafter described, and more fully pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a gun containing my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a side view of the feeding and iiring mechanism, with the breech withdrawn ready to receive a cartridge from the magazine. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the cartridge elevated. Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of the feeding mechanism, showing the detent in position to prevent the magazine-feed. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate certain details. Fig. 8 is a detail showing the manner of connecting the handlever to the link and cartridge lifter. is a view of t-he front end ofthe gun.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate like part-s.

llie gun is preferably constructed in three divisions or sections-first`, the barrel and magazine, with means for securing the latter in position upon the former; second, the stock; and, third, the intermediate frame or Fig. 9

breech-piece carrying the loading and Iiring mechanism, and to which both the barrel and stock are detachably secured.

The breech-piece A is'for convenience divided longitudinally, forming two parts or sections, A', similarly grooved and recessed, as hereinafter described, and firmly secured together by screws or other suitable contrivances. The straps or extensions a a, for attachment to the stock, yare not divided, but are made integral with one of the sections.

The barrel B is provided on its under side with a series of loops or eyes, b. to receive and sustain the tubular magazine B', which latter is preferably composed of a sheet-metal tube slotted longitudinally, closed at one end by the screw cap or plug b', and carryingaspiral spring, Zf", pressing upon a follower, b, in one side of which is located a guide screw or pin, b4, working in the longitudinal slot ofthe tube. The magazine is retained in place, when inserted through the eyes b, by any suitable locking device, but preferably by the head of the cleaning-rod b5, the latter being passed through the eyes 116 and screwed into the block or head bl, fastened permanently to the lower e e, b.

yThe sections A of the breech-piece A are each provided with a lower iiange, a2, two lugs, as, ashoulder, a, forming a grooved way, an upper shoulder, a5, a recess, a, a curved bearing, al, at the forward end, and acurved or semicircular extension, ce, at the top. It will be understood that several, if not all, of these recesses and fianges mightif desired, be made integral with or fastened to one of the sections, the other serving merely as a capplate; but, for obvious reasons, I prefer to construct them as shown. The two sections, when brought together, form an inclosing box or frame, within which the loading and firing mechanisms are contained and operated.

The barrel and magazine are attached or united to the breech-piece in the following manner, admitting of ready attachment and separation when desired: The opening or recess formed at the forward end of the breechblock between the bearings a7 is of such shape and dimensions as to receive the lower loop or eye, b, or magazine I3', and the block or head b. The barrel B, when the block b7 is IOO thus located, rests uponthe shoulderscr", and its rcar end projects under the semicircular extensions (1,", which latter', meeting together, form an arch or socket within which the end of the barrel is received. The parts thus arranged and disposed are fastened together and firmly secured in position by a screw or pin, bw, passing through the section A and the block bl, and by two set-screws, aL-one 06u either side-passing through a bridge-piece, a, (fitting over and confining the extensions a8) the extensions as, and into suitable holes or recesses in the sides of the barrel. XVe now have the. barrel, magazine, breech-piece, and stock tirmly and securely united and held togethcr in such mannen that they Canreadily be separated the one from the other, and the interior of the breech-piece laid open by the removal ot' one oi" the sections, and all this independent of the particular loading and tiring mechanism, the construction ot' which will next be described.

The distinguishing characteristics of this portion ot' my invention arc, a perforated reciprocating carrier located beneath the barrel. This carrier reciproeates upon the end of the magazinebarrel, hence is always kept charged so long as any cartridges remain within the magazine. It also carries the breech-block for closing the rear end of the barrel, and means l'or sustaining, inserting, and withdrawing the cartridges, the latter being transferred, one at a time, by intermediate mechanism from the interior ot' the carrier into position against the face ol' the breech-block, where they are sustained by catches engaging the flanged head ot' t-he cartridge. These operations are anto matically accomplished by a single movement of a hand-lever, which latter, through connecting mechanism, simultaneously effects the locking ofthe carrier in posit-ion, the raising ofthe trigger, it' desired, and the locking ofthe mainspring while the breech remains open, and its release only when the breeeh-block is entirely closed. Moreover, the construct-ion and arrangement of the transferring mechanism are such as that the magazine can be closed or the feed shut oli' at will, and the cartridges fed by hand, thus in a movement converting the gun int-o a breech-loader or maga-zine loader at will.

The mechanism shown for accomplishing these results is simple, eficient, and little liaable to get out ot' order, and can be taken apart, repaired, or the parts replaced without special skill or extraordinary expense. Resting on the shoulders a4, and sliding freely in the space or opening bounded on the top by the barrel B, and on either side by the sections A of the breech-piece A, is a hollow or longitudinally-pert'orated block or carrier, C, preferably rectangular in cross-section, upon the rear upper face el' which is formed or secured the brecclrblock C. The rear end of the stationary magazine B projects within the carrier C, the latter being free to slide upon the former the full length of its stroke,where by the rear cartridge contained within the magazine will at all times be delivered and held in position within the carrier without liability of catching or being in any manner retarded.

lmmediately in front ot` the breech-block C is formed a slot or opening, c, in the carrier C, communicating with the central chamber in the latter, and a corresponding slot, c', is formed in the lower portion of the carrier, eX- tending to the extreme rear end thereof, for a purpose to be described. The breechblock C is provided on either side with spring fingers or catches C2, the inwardly-projecting ends whereof are substantially vertical and parallel, and on the upper forward edge of the breech-block is formed or attached a slightlyprojecting flange or shoulder, c2; or a spring may be applied in lieu thereof, as shown in Fig, 6. rBhe firing-pin c3, adapted for center or rim tire, as desired, works within abracket formed Within the breeclrblock C', and, together with the spring, is held in position by means ot' a collar, c4, screwed iuto the rear face of the said breech-block.

To the under side of the carrier C, near its forward end, is pivoted a link, D, the rear or free end of which is slotted for the reception ot' a pin, d, carried by the forward end of the hand-lever D', the latter turning upon ascrew, d', passing through the side pieces or sections, A.

Turning upon a pin or screw, d, is a bellcrank lever, D?, the upper arm, d, being bifurcated, and its ends engaging shoulders d, formed on the under side of the carrier C, while the lower arm, d5, is rounded or camshaped on the end d, and has a lug or pin, di, on one side, and is recessed on the other side for the reception of a spring, D3, which encircles the pin d2, and has its free ends pressing, the one against the trigger and the other against the face of the arm d5. The action of -the spring D3 is to atall times press the toe of the trigger into engagement with the hammer, and the ends of the arm d against the under side of the carrier to engage the shoulders d* thereon.

Working between the bifurcated arms of the locking-lever D2, and within the slot in the carrier, is the cartridge-lifter D, composed of a link, e, pivoted at one end on the pin d of the hand-lever D', and carrying on its rear or free end the slotted or bifurcated link e. This link e is constructed with a pointed and beveled or cam-shaped projection, e, and two side plates or wings, e, embracing the end of the lilik e, the two being united by a pivot, e5. The upper faces of the wings e* are preferably beveled or concaved toward the center, forming a bearing to receive and sustain the cartridge, and the lower faces are inclined, as at c, to facilitate their passage through the leverD, and permit a light spring, ci, attached to the link c, to hold the front ends ot' the wings slightly elevated, the free end of said spring being arranged to bear against the lower edge ot' thc IOO IIO

link e', and thus retain the link e in'pon tion. The hand or operating lever D is provided with a shoulder, f, forward of its pivot, which, when the lever is closed, fits against the rear end of the lower iianges, a2, thus closing the opening in the breech-piece. It is also provided with a projection or stud, f2, for engaging the cam-shaped end d ofthe locking-lever D, and the lug or pin di, as hereinafter described.

The operation of the feeding breech closing and locking mechanism above described is as follows: Starting with the breech-block closed, the hand or operating lever elevated, the cartridge-lifter down, and the locking-lever engaging the shoulders in the carrier, all as shown ,in Fig. 1, when in this position, the proj ection]c2 on the hand-lever D bears against the pin di of the locking-lever D2, forward of itsaxis, thus securely retaining the points d" in position 4behind the shoulders d* of the carrier and preventing any backward motion of the latter; and to still further insurethe locking of the carrier the link D is furnished with a shonldeigf,A which, when said link is carried forward and downward by the hand-lever, engages a shoulder or stud,f*, on the breechpiece. The pin d on the hand-lever does not lit accurately the slot in the end of thelink D, said slot being made of such size and shape relative to the pin d and the two pivotal points as that when the hand-lever is elevated it shall hold the link in engagement with the l in the bifnrcated end of the locking-lever in line with the opening in the carrier C, and with the forward ends ofthe wings slightly elevated. The rear cartridge delivered from the magazine is forced backward, first depressing the forward ends of the wings, and then again elevating them as the head of the cart-ridge passes the rear ends of the said wings, and rests against shoulders f in line with but below the face ofthe breech-block C. The arm is now in condition for loading, for which purpose the hand-lever is drawn downward and forward. At the beginning of the movement of the hand-lever the projection f2 is withdrawn from under the pin di ot' the locking-leverDz,and,pressing upon the cam-shaped end d of the arm di, disengages the arm d3 from the shoulders on the carrier C, and at the same time slightly elevates the rear end of the link D. A further movement ot' the handlever draws back'the carrier U, and with it the carA tridge-lifter As the forward end of the hand-lever rises and approaches the lockinglever D2, the cartridge-lifter D3 is correspondingly elevated until the Apointed and beveled projection e2 makes contact with the inclined wally of a slot, g, in the under side of the carrier C, beneath the breech-block C, which causes the link e to rise vertically, carrying with it the cartridge which rests upon its surface, the forward ends of the side plates or wings, et, closing the opening in the carrier and preventing the passage of the next succeeding cartridge.

In order to insure the proper action ofthe lifter, it is desirable that it should have a more rapid movement than the carrier, to cause the point to make Contact with theunder side of the breech-block, This excess of motion is secured through the manner of attaching the link `D and end of the lift-er to the operatinglever. A toggleis formed, thelinks of which, as the forward end of the lever is elevated. are brought more nearly in line, and as the other end ot' the lifter is not confined it is moved correspondingly faster than the carrier. rlhe cartridge resting upon the lifter D3 is carried up through the slot c in the carrier, and the lianges on the head are forced under the ends of the spring lingers or catches C2. The handlever has now reached the limit of its outward movement, and the cartridge is in position to be inserted within the barrel upon the return movement. The cartridge is now held and supported against the face of the breech-block by the catches C2 embracing its flanged head, and as the hand-lever is drawn back the cartridge-lifter moves downward and forward, to receive a fresh charge, while the breech-block carries the cartridge into gun-barrel in position to be fired. Just before the handlever is closed and the breech-block seated against the end ofthe barrel, (which latter, by the by, has notches g in each side, to receive the ends of the catches 62,) the projet-,tion f2, coming in contact with the cam-shaped end d of the locking lever D2, forces the latter to yield and permit said projection f2 to pass up against the pin di, and immediately this is accomplished the link D is brought down by the closing of the hand-lever until its shoulder interlocks with the shoulderf". By this means the carrier C and breech-block G are securely locked in place, and can only be drawn or forced back by the depression ofthe hand-lever. As will be readily understood, the lifting into place of each succeeding cartridge will force out or detach the shell carried by the breechblock, and withdrawn from the barrel by the catches G2, which retain their hold upon the ange so long` as the cartridge remains within or in line with the barrel.

Vhen it is desired to preserve the charge, within the magazine and use the gun as a breechloader, a latch or catch, H, is pivoted upon the link e, (shown in Fig. 4,) and held in either of two positions by a spring, lL, bearing upon one ol' the AHat faces h. lVhen the catch is turned back, as shown in dotted lines, it lies out of the way and does not interfere with the free movement of the cartridge; but when the catch is turned forward, as shown in full lines, its end bears against the rear cartridge and bars its passage to the feeding and IOO ITO

lifting mechanism. The hammer I, which cooperates with the firing-pin to explode the shell, is preferably pivoted and operated at such distance below the breech-block as that its striking end, When the hammer is cocked, shall be in line with the slot and opening in the carrier C, so that the latter,when retracted, vmay be moved over the end of the hammer, whereby the breech-piece is made shorter and consequently more compact and lighter. When thecarrier is retracted, it operates upon the hammer to raise it to the iring position, and in order to remove the pressure from the firing-pin and prevent the accidental discharge of the cartridge, inclines 'i are located Within the slot in the rear end of the carrier, which make contact with the shoulders 17, formed on the sides of the hammer.

In order to still further guard against the accidental discharge of the piece, an arrangement has been devised for rendering inoperative lthe mainspring so long as the breech remains open. Ihe mechanism for accomplishing this operation is applicable to many varieties of breech-loaders, magazine-guns, &c., and consists,essentially,of a link, K, suspended on the pivot K of the tumbler K2, against Which latter the mainspring exerts its pressure. The link K is formed with a notch, k2, on one side, adapted to engage a pin, k3, and is held pressed against said pin by a spring, kt. The lower end of the link K is rounded and projects slightly through the breech-piece and in the path of the hand-lever. Vhen the lever controlling the opening and closing of the breech and the feeding or placing of the cartridges is brought back into place, the various parts are securely locked and held in position and the gun is in condition to be discharged; but it may sometimes happen that the trigger will be operated before this point of safety is reached, and it is to prevent this premature discharge that the arrangement described has been made. Vhen the hand or other operating lever is removed from contact with the end of link K, the latter is caused to bear against the pin k3, and as soon as the hammer is elevated the hook or notch k2 engages said pin k3, thus holding the mainspring down and removing the pressure from the hammer to the pin. As soon,'ho\vever, as thelever is brought back into position, but not before, it presses back the link K, thus disengaging the latter from the pin 7c3, releasing the mainspring, and permitting the hammer to fall when the trigger is drawn.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with the detachable barrel provided with a block, bl, the breech-piece provided with a recess to receive said block, and an arch or socket for the end of the barrel, the pin passing through the breech-piece and block bland the set-screws passing through the socket and into the barrel, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the barrel and its attached block bl, the longitudinally-divided breech-piece having the recess for said block, the extensions as, forming the socket for the end of the barrel, the overlying bridge-piece, the set-screws for securing the same, and the pin for confining the block 127, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the magazine-tube extending within the breech-piece, the reciprocating carrier sliding in Ways beneath the barrel and upon said magazine-tube, and a cartridge-lifter Working through said carrier to raise and deliver the cartridges one at a time, substantially as described.

4. In combination With the barrel and the breech-frame to which :it is attached, the hollouT reciprocating carrier provided With the breech-block and mounted in ways beneath the barrel, the cartridge-lifter attached at one end to the operating -lever and Working through a slot in the said carrier, and the link connecting the carrier and said operating-lever, substantially as described.

5. In combination with the reciprocating carrier, its attached link, and the operatinglever connected to the latter, the pivoted locking-lever provided with cam-shaped arm and locking-pin, the shoulders on the carrier for engaging the locking-lever, and the projection on the operating-lever co-operating With the cam-shaped arm and locking-pin on the said locking-lever, substantially as described.

6. In combination with the reciprocating carrier, the link connected thereto and engaging shoulders on the frame, the operating-lever pivoted to said linkand provided with a locking projection, and the locking-lever engaging shoulders on the carrier and provided with the cam and pin for co-operating with thelocking projections of the lever, substantially as described.

7. In combination with the sliding carrier, perforated and slotted, as described, for the reception and delivery of the cartridges, and theoperating-lever connected to the carrier by a link, the link e, pivoted to the said lever and carrying the cartridge-lifter e', having the beveled end for engaging with the under side of the breech-block, substantially as described.

8. In combination with the slotted reciprocating carrier, its actuating-lever, and the bifurcated locking-lever, the cartridge-lifter carried by the actuating-lever and reciprocating between the arms of the locking-lever and into the slot in the carrier, substantially as described.

9. In combination with the operating-lever and the reciprocating 4carrier actuated thereby and provided With shoulders, as described, the pivoted looking-lever having arms for engaging the said shoulders on thecarrier and actuated by the operating-lever, the trigger, and the spring sustained upon the pivot of the locking-lever and bearing upon both the trigger and locking-lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combinatiomvvith the reciprocating carrier provided with the slot and shoulders IOO IIS

at its rear end, the hammer pivoted below said carrier and provided with shoulders corresponding thereto, as described, the breechblock mounted upon the carrier, and the ring-pin extending through said breech, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In combination with the hammer and its spring, a link pivoted to the hammer, a pin upon the breech-frame to engage the link when the hammer is raised, and the breechoperating lever, a portion of the link projecting in the path traversed by thelever,w`hereby as the latter is closed it makes contact with said link and raises it from engagement with the pin, thereby releasing the hammer, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In combination with the hammer, the sliding carrier operating to raise the former, the link K, attached to the hammer and engaging a piu on the frame, and the operatinglever engaging the said link to move it out of engagement with the pin, and thus free the hammer, substantially as described.

13. In combination with the breech-piece, its attached barrel, and magazine-tube, the reciprocating carrier sliding in ways beneath the barrel, the breech-block fastened to said carrier and provided with the side catches, as described, and a cartridge-lifter pivoted to the operating-lever and working through a slot in said carrier to transfer the cartridges from the interior of said carrier into position in front of the breech-block, and with the ianges under the said side catches, the said carrier being also connected t0 the operating-lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14.. In a magazine-gun, and as a means for preventing the transfer of the cartridges from the magazine by the cartridge-feeding mechanism when it is desired to load by hand, the combination, with automatic feeding mechanism, of a catch pivoted to the cartridge-lifter and adapted to be elevated to cut off the feed or turn down out of the way when used as a magazine-feeder, substantially as described.

15. In a magazine-gun such as described, and in combination with'the breech piece or frame, to which are secured the stock, barrel, and magazine-tube, the sliding carrier perforated for the reception of the cartridge and carrying the breech-block, the cartridge-lifter working through such perforation, and the hammer audits operating mechanism located in the breech-frame below and to the rear of the said carrier, substantially as described.

16. In combination with the sliding carrier and the hand-lever having a pin, as described, the cartridge-lifter and the link pivoted to the carrier and connecting it to the carrier, both the said link and lift-er being pivotedulpon and actuated by the pin on the hand-lever, substantially as described.

17,. In combination with the mainspring,

the hammer, and the operating hand-lever, the link pivoted to the hammer and provided with a hook, and the attaching-pin secured to the breech-frame and engaging the said hook,substantially as described.

18. In combination with the hammer, its tumbler, and the mainspring applied to the latter, the hooked link pivoted to the hammer and the pin fastened -to the breech-frame and engaging the hook on said link,when the hammer is raised, to hold the latter, substantially as described.

19. In combination with the sliding carrier, the operating-lever, the link pivot-ally connected to the said lever and to the sliding carrier and provided with a shoulder, f 3, and a shoulder, f4, attached to the main frame,with which said shoulder f 3 engages, when the lever is closed, to lock the carrier in position, substantially as described.

20.' In combination with the reciprocating carrier, the operati ng-lever supported upon an axis below said carrier, a link, D, connecting the upper or forward end of the said lever to the sliding carrier at a point in advance of the axis of said lever, and a cartridge-lifter pivotally connected at its front end to the operating-lever. substantially as described.

21. In combination with the slotted reciprocating carrier provided with a longitudinal perforation communicating with the maga- Zine, a lifter moving through the carrier to elevate the cartridges, and a catch mounted upon said lifter and in proximity to the perforation in the carrier through which the cartridges are fed, said catch being pivoted and provided with a sustaining-spring, substantially'as and for the purpose set forth.

22. In combination with the vertically-reciprocating cartridge-lifter upon which the cartridges are delivered from the magazine, the catch pivotally supported within a slot in said lift-er, and a sustaining-spring for holding the catch elevated above the surface of the lifter,to prevent the feeding of the cartridges, or depressed and within the slot,to permit the feeding, substantially as described.

23. In abreech-loading Jdre-arm, the combination, with the cartridge-feeding mechanism and a vertically-moving lifter for elevating the cartridges into position for insertion within the barrel, of a movable catch applied to the end of the lifter nearest the feeding-orifice, said catch operating, when elevated, to intercept the feeding of the cartridges upon the lifter, and when depressed to permit the free movement of the cartridge, substantially as described.

PETER A.. ALTMAIER.

Vitnesses: l

EUGENE SNYDER, J. W. Mnnsn.

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